Finding Affordable Pet Insurance

creddert | Sep 30, 2009 |

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Affordable pet insurance enables pet owners to provide the best care for their dog or cat for routine office visits or if they become sick or hurt and need additional or emergency medical attention. Pets can have the same diagnostic, medical, and surgical procedures performed as humans, and the cost can be just as expensive.

Pet insurance can be fine-tuned to fit your pet's needs. Cheap pet insurance can cost as low as $10 per month and offers multiple pet discounts. Just like human insurance, pet insurance has various deductibles and co-pays and goes through an individual application process and underwriting. Companies either allow you to choose your own veterinarian or have a list of participating providers to choose from. The insurance company will either pay the veterinarian directly or reimburse the pet owner. The local Humane Society or veterinarian can recommend pet insurance companies.

Pet insurance covers routine office visits, shots, dental procedures, lab tests, spaying and neutering, hereditary conditions, surgery, rehabilitation, and cancer treatments. Some plans also offer discounts on pet supplies, medication, and flea and heartworm control. Some alternative and holistic procedures, acupuncture, and chiropractic procedures may also be covered. Boarding fees at kennels and the costs of rewards and posters to find lost pets are also some options depending on the plan chosen. If your dog or cat causes an accident, some insurance companies will cover the damages. Life insurance is also available that would pay upon the death of your beloved companion.

The first pet policy was written in 1890 for horses and livestock. The first policy was sold in 1947 in Britain. UK policies currently pay 100% of the veterinarian fees whereas United States and Canadian policies pay 80% to 90% of the fees. Years ago, it was difficult to find pet insurance companies. Now there are as many pet insurance companies and insurance plans to choose from as there are for humans.

Sixty-three percent of households in the United States own pets, of which 176 million are dogs and cats. Only about 1% are insured. Some insurance companies cover not only dogs and cats but also exotic pets (parrots), reptiles (lizards, geckos, snakes, turtles), rodents (mice, rats, rabbits, opossums, hedgehogs, ferrets, gerbils, hamsters), and even goats and pot-bellied pigs. It's possible by grouping your pet insurance together with your cheap public liability insurance you can further reduce your premium and save a lot of money all the while protecting your assets.

Pets show unconditional love and companionship. Affordable pet insurance allows pet owners to properly care for these loyal family members without the stress, worry, and guilt of financial burden.